The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-10
FRANCIS GERRY FAIRFIELD.
a Story Of Opium Slavery Told In an I'm.
pressive and Graphic Manner.

pressive and Graphic Manner.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
New YORK, April 9-Francis Gerry Fair
field, who has just died In this city, victim of
the opium habit, was undoubtedly a genius.
The circumstances of his downfall and the |
wreck of his intellect make story of unsual |
interest; for the terrible habit that alone
caused his ruin and death was but the natural
outcome Of his genius His most prominent
characteristic was a fondness for scientific
study, and his first experiences with opium were
conducted deliberately. under the impression
that be was investigating a department of
knowledge. If his research had anything of
profit in it, it was to demonstrate that there are
some subjects that can better be studied by OBJ
servation than by personal experiment
In his early days Fairfield evinced great fond
ness for study, and his serious manners and in
clinations seemed to fit him naturally for the min
stry. This was kept in view, therefore, in the
course Of his education. He was still in his
teens when he graduated from Gettysburg Uni
versity. and was not yet of age when he re-
ceiv ed his degree of bachelor of divinity from a
Lutheran theological seminary. He was in
stalled Immediately in the Lutheran Church at
Waterloo n Y. He did not find preaching to
his fancy He was more inclined to the work
of writer. He liked to observe. study. nves-
tigate and then tell all about it, and he found the
pulpit. with its attendant parochia Duties too
combining. 1t did not give him scope enough
A few months decided him to find a
way out, but it was two years
before he succeeded. His opportunity
came in a chance to come to this city and assist
p Willis in the odi N, N oanoaDt of tina
Homs Journal This work brought him some
what to the attention Of newspaper men, and as
he was from the start most prolific writer, he
soon had active relations with the Daily News
and other newspapers. Like many other men
in the same business, be found its chief charm
lay in the variety Of scene and incident it offered.
Consequently, while his work was always salts
factory to the publications for which he wrote,
he was constantly changing his base. The
volutions in Mexico found him an interested OBJ
server on the spot. He was there as correspond
ent for the New York Herald, and one of his
best pieces of work a graphic account of
the execution of Macmillan. which event he
saw with his own eyes. He returned to this
city, and from that time on was an irregular
contributor to all kinds of publications. 1t
would not have been difficult for him to obtain a
situation the staff of good journal. but that
was not to his liking. He preferred to be free.
for he was constantly led away from writing by
his genius for investigation He studied spirit
ualistlc phenomena when the excitement over
the matter was at its height, and subsequently
wrote a book about it. 1t was only when neces-
sity compelled him that he settled down to
writing, ard as he could reel off columns on
Ia ria vof itt rloIl
in good library style. he always extricated him
self from financial troubles in short time and
returned to his studies Again-now occult forces.
now medicine, now surgery. now electricity, and
even mechanics
Mr.. fairfield married a daughter of Judge
Griswold, of the United States District Court.
Another daughter of Judge Griswold is the wife
of Frallcis Bret Harte, the novelist Mr.. and
Mrs. fairfield lived together most happily
Whenever her husband came down town to call
at the newspaper Offices on business, Mrs. Fair
field v ent with him, leaning on his arm. If he
had occasion to climb the long fights to an edi-
torJ room she generally remained below at the
door, where she frequently would stay patiently
for q n hour two until his business was done.
1t las remarked many time that there was not
a more happily mated couple in the city. She
was universally esteemed for bright, intelligent
and attractive lady.
The time came, one unfortunate day. when
Flairchild's attention was attracted by the ex-
pa rimen,s of physicians in sub-cutaneous injec-
tons of morphine. He at made his own
body the subject of private experiments in this
direction, and there began the downfall of his
! intellect Had he been man who naturally
pursued topic strenuously to the end at once,
| ne would have persisted long ago. but it was his
| way to get superficial. grasp of matter by a
\ quick study and then drop it for some new fancy
/ But the fancy for morphine study was stronger
4 than anything he had ever undertaken, and be
returned to it again and again without realizing
at all the hold it was getting on him. No one
ever knew just how he regarded his relations
to the fearful drug, for, except to his brother
he invariably silent on the matter. Thi:
brother, ex-Judge Samuel E. Fairfield. endeav
ored many times in late years, to save Francis
and helped him with money and influence, bu
to no avail.
After beginning his morphine investigations
his mode of life became more irregular thar
ever before He found that, taken in the RICH
way. the drug was a wonderful stimulus to men
tai effort. and the temptation to write brillian
matter easily became too strong for him. Hi
experiments in subcutaneous injection wer
carried to such an extent that at one time hi
left arm was literally covered with scars Indeed
there was not bare spot left from shoulder t
wrist where new puncture might he made TO
the injection of the drug From simple NOR
phine the transition to opium the stronger form
of the same base, was speedily accomplished
1t was more stimulating and satisfactory.
People who know how deeply he loved hi
wife cannot believe that be saw any danger i
the course he was taking until he had followe
it for wears; for on one occasion, when she fe
i'll and her nerves were strained to their utmos
he himself recommended morphine to her, an
made objection whom she continued to tax
it. A thousand romantic surmises might be il
dulged in on this point. 1t would be reasouabl
to think that she saw the drift of her husband
course. realized 20 what condition it was sure
bring him, saw that it would gradually separat
him from her, in the creating of desires that sh
could have no sympathy for and tina. she prefe
red to risk the wreck of her own life aud happnes
for the certainty of being. long as they DO:
lived. in the closest harmony with one anothe